First Female Prime Minister of India

Indira Gandhi was the first and only female Prime Minister of India. She served as Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984, making her the second-longest serving Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru, who was also her father.

Early Life and Education

Indira Gandhi was born in Allahabad, British India, to a political family. She was influenced by her father’s nationalist ideals from a young age. She studied at Oxford University and married Feroze Gandhi in 1942. They had two children, Rajiv and Sanjay.

Entry into Politics

Indira Gandhi entered politics when she joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and was appointed as her father’s personal assistant in 1947. She was elected as the President of the INC and became the Minister of Information and Broadcasting in Lal Bahadur Shastri’s cabinet. Following the death of Shastri in 1966, she succeeded him as Prime Minister.

Challenges in Her First Term as Prime Minister

Indira Gandhi faced a lot of challenges during her first term as Prime Minister. Some of these challenges include the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, the devaluation of the Indian rupee, the nationalization of banks and oil companies, and the Green Revolution in agriculture.

Victory in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

Indira Gandhi led India to victory in the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. She also signed the Shimla Agreement with Pakistan’s Ali Bhutto with the aim of normalizing relations between the two countries.

Declaration of Emergency (1975-1977)

After citing internal disturbances and threats to national security, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in India in 1975, suspending civil liberties and censoring the media. This period lasted for 21 months and was widely criticized as a dictatorship.

Defeat and Imprisonment

In an attempt to legitimize her rule, she called for general elections in 1977. However, she was defeated by the Janata Party. She was briefly imprisoned on charges of corruption and electoral malpractice.

Return to Power and Challenges

Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980 and resumed her policies of economic development, social welfare, and foreign affairs. She also faced the growing challenge of Sikh separatism and ordered Operation Blue Star in 1984, which involved military action against the Sikhs in the Golden Temple. This resulted in bloodshed and provoked widespread anger among Sikhs across India.

Assassination and Legacy

That same year, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards at her residence in New Delhi. She was cremated at Raj Ghat, where her father was also cremated.